SWEDESBORO — Swedesboro residents Catherine and Joseph Slusar attended the borough council meeting on May 1 to express concerns with the roundabout construction.
“Tankers and gasoline trucks are cutting through Locke Avenue, then taking either Bridgeport Avenue or Mechanic Street,” Catherine Slusar said. Both streets have a four ton limit.
Joseph Slusar provided the Council with pictures of damaged curbs and large trucks on the street. “Mornings are a nightmare,” he said. “We can’t take this for 16 weeks.”
The couple asked for a change in the signage in front of Kings Highway and Rt. 322. The signs said to use the Locke Avenue detour but did not mention any restrictions.
Gloucester County Assistant County Counsel Emmett Primas was also in attendance. He said he would be bring the information back to the county to discuss immediately. Mayor Tom Fromm agreed, saying he will contact the police about changing signs and enforcing ordinance.
“Tickets have to be written or trucks are going to keep using the streets,” Joseph Slusar said.
Mechanic Street, Bridgeport Avenue, and South Avenue have since added signs indicating they are closed to local traffic only. Daniel DeBear of the Woolwich Fire Company was also in attendance and said he has seen the cars cutting through Locke Avenue Park.
The Borough Council passed resolutions to authorize the agreement with Eastern Pacific Developers, LLC. This includes the 30 year tax abatement requested for the development. The plan will allow the company to build over 60 affordable income homes throughout Swedesboro.
A resolution regarding an agreement between Swedesboro and Atlantic City Electric Company was passed. Atlantic City Electric will move a newly installed pole that was on the property of the Swedesboro sewer plant. Fromm felt the original placement was too close to Trinity Church and the welcome sign.
“ACE went the extra yard to address our concerns and I appreciate their efforts,” he said. The company agreed to move the pole as far as they could and will reimburse the town for landscaping surrounding the area where the pole will be installed.
In addition, they agreed to contribute to several projects around the Borough. Atlantic City Electric will contribute to the 911 memorial fund. In addition they will install 20 pedestrian safety street lights throughout Swedesboro. There will be 10 installed this year and 10 in 2018.
Public Works reported that the Second Street sewer repair was completed. The breach was on the corner of Dunn Drive and Ashton Avenue and, according to Fromm, was in critical condition.
Comcast has moved their lines from the old poles to the new ones, reported Councilmember Sam Casella. Verizon lines still have yet to make the change.
The Environmental Committee is applying for a grant through the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. The grant would pay for a kiosk at Lake Narraticon Park to assist with kayaking events.
In Economic Development news, the Swedesboro Food Truck Festival is scheduled for Thursday, June 29 at 5 p.m. The event will be held at the new Swedesboro Auction Park and will run until 9 p.m. There will be another held on Thursday, July 27.
By Jessica Zapasordi
